NORTHERN Ireland’s U14 Girls’ Development Squad have been impressing at this week’s Foyle Cup, competing in the Boys’ U13 section and topping their group as the competition moves into the placement phase.
Coached by Stephen Graham, assisted by Heather Means, the girls have faced St. Malachy’s OB Cosmos, Tummery Athletic and Strabane Athletic in Group K winning two games, drawing one and scoring into double figures.
Monday – Northern Ireland 5-0 St. Malachy’s OB Cosmos
Northern Ireland started brightly with great work down the right from Katie McKenna and Aoife Conlon before the ball fell for Leah Hepburn on the edge of the box who got a shot on target which was saved.
The Girls went ahead after a great through ball from Darcy Grayson found Ella Kitson who outpaced the defender, dribbled past the keeper and finished well.
There were further first half chances for Emilie Sylvester and Darcy Grayson while Lara Longridge worked hard in midfield to set up play and create opportunities.
Shortly after the break the Cosmos keeper saved a Conlon shot but Sylvester followed up at the back post to double Northern Ireland’s lead.
Number three came from the spot after Kitson was upended but dusted herself down to step up to convert the subsequent penalty.
St Malachy’s then had a great chance from a looping header from a cross which Ifeoma Agoha made a fantastic fingertip save to push the ball over the crossbar.
Kitson then bagged her hat-trick after running onto a through ball to confidently slot past the keeper before, in the closing minutes, Lydia Devlin played a through ball to Saoirse Devine who drove the ball home to complete the scoring.
Tuesday – Northern Ireland 2-2 Tummery Athletic
Tummery started brightly, and might have gone in front early on only for keeper Chloe Morrison to get down well to make a fantastic save.
Northern Ireland did fall behind after that, however, but equalised after a brilliant through ball from Zion Donnan found Aoife Conlon down the right wing who, in turn, crossed for Ella Kitson to level with a thunderous volley into the top corner.
Tummery regained the advantage but Kitson struck again for Northern Ireland, outpacing the defence to finish well to bag her second of the game just before the break.
Both sides had their chances in the second half, with Darcy Grayson making a fantastic block to keep the scores level while, at the other end, there were chances for Leah Hepburn, Lydia Devlin, and Aoife Conlon.
Wednesday – Northern Ireland 3-0 Strabane Athletic
Starting brightly, Cara McVeigh might have opened the scoring with a shot on target from the edge of the area before Ella Kitson outpaced three defenders and pulled her shot just wide.
Northern Ireland went ahead shortly after when Emilie Sylvester laid the ball off for Leah Hepburn to find the top corner with a superb strike from 20 yards.
They added a second when Lauren Kirkpatrick found the bottom corner from a similar distance struck the ball from a similar distance before Zion Donnan added a third after lifting the ball over the keeper and into the roof of the net.
Northern Ireland enjoyed plenty of possession after the break, and created some good chances but couldn’t find the net again.
In defence Eva Dunlop, Sophia Gill, Gracey Livingston and Eimear Wilson remained calm and composed on the ball, setting up play well.
